THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

Here are some pictures of Torbay where we live.


Ringwood Street (Where we live) is at the bottom of this hill. This is the view from the shops at the top.



A big difference from the UK is that the post doesn't go through your door - everyone has these post boxes at the end of the drive. Whats incredible is the amount of junk mail you find in your box every day. Its so ironic because the Kiwis are so into their recycling but this is junk mail city!!



These are the shops at Torbay. We have a great Indian and its only $10.00 for a main whether you eat in or take out. Also - this bakery that Ray is standing at is superb - not good for that waist line though!!

This is Art Ducko Restraunt - its about a 10 min walk from our house. We've started going there because it looks right onto the beach and the food is fantastic - whats more its BYOB!!

These are some typical streets in the North Shore. The East Coast Bays (of which Torbay is one of) are the most desirable places to live in NZ. These are typical of the manicured gardens and spotless driveways. Its not however typical of the traditional neighbourhoods which were built long before the North Shore took off. (The area was significantly developed in the 1970s).

These are pictures of Waiakie Beach which is where Art Ducko is. Whats really fantastic about this area is that it is so easy to find solitude. When we were out taking these pictures, we just walked along the rocks and found this beautiful little bay - an no one else was here - we had it all to ourselves.


Now on Waikie beach they have a sailing club where they teach the kids how to sail. We can't beleive that children as young as 10 years old sail these little boats single handidly across to Rangitoto Island - you can see them going out on the 1st picture.

Here are some of the unusual birds that we see regularly. Because there is a lot of bush around, the bird population is greater here than other parts fo the city. The little black feller is a TUI (too-ee) and have the most beautiful song. The little white things under his chin expand as he sings. We hear them regularly in the morning and its such a beautiful tune to waken up to.



These parrots come over from the Islands. We see them most mornings in our tree in front of the house.

Sunday Lunch

Now that we're getting a routine together, we thought we'd show you how a Sunday pans out - if the weather is kind to us.

We're now in Autumn and the daytime temp max is about 20 degrees but its getting really cold at night - its dipping down to about 10 degrees.

There hasn't been much rain but we're told that its on its way and we're now heading inot the very wet season.

We've found a few really nice restraunts dotted around and so most Sundays we nip down to the restraunt on Long Bay. Its on the beach and serves really delicious food. We always promise to only have soft drinks but when we get there we always end up with a bottle of vino!!

After luch we go for a walk along the beach to walk it off and then back to the house for a snooze!!

This is the walk down to the bay and here are some of the houses that we pass on the way. These cliff top houses aree some of the premier real estate in NZ and you're talking upwards of $2m a piece!! Obvioulsy in the UK that would be as cheap as chips but in NZ that's a fortune!!







This is a really nice thing the Kiwis do - most Sundays there will be loads of families here with their picnics, gazebo's and BBQs. The whole thing has a very relaxed and friendly feel to it - its great.

This is fantastic - this guy is surfing along the waves with a parachute pulling him along - its looks so exhilerating.